Protogenin Facilitates Trunk-to-Tail HOX Code Transition via Modulating GDF11/SMAD2 Signaling in Mammalian Embryos

Using human iPSC-derived presomitic mesoderm-like cells, scientists demonstrated delayed posterior HOX gene expression upon protogenin (PRTG) knockout, which was rescued by growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) supplementation.